Season 2020/2021

Official On-Line Match Programme

Pitching In N P L Premier Division. Tuesday 29th September 2020 7.45 k.o. TOWN v ATHERTON COLLIERIES

Welcome to Cantilever Park

THE TEAMS

Warrington Town V Atherton Collieries (yellow with blue trim/blue/yellow) (green/white/green)

Charles Albinson 1 Danny Taberner James Baillie 2 Clive Smith Michael Rose 3 Gareth Peet Charlie Munro 4 Ellis Roberts Mark Roberts © 5 Danny Lafferty © Matt Regan 6 Rick Smith Luke Duffy 7 Lewis Doyle Scott Brown 8 Vinny Bailey Josh Amis 9 Jordan Darr Bohan Dixon 10 Kyle Sambor Jack Dunn 11 Eliot Rokka Craig Carney 12 Elliot Wynne Matthew Taylor 14 Danny Lambert 15 Marcus Cussani Callum Grogan 16 Jack Banister Iyrwah Gooden 17 Ben Conway Manager Brad Cooke

Referee Chris Porter Assistant Darren Whitfield Assistant Chris Mooney

Pitching In Northern Premier Division Tuesday 29th September 2020, kick off 7-45 p.m.

S. W. A. T. O. T. L.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Cantilever Park for this Pitching In Premier Division fixture. May I take this opportunity to offer a warm welcome to all players, officials and supporters of Atherton Collieries Football Club to Warrington? I trust you all have an enjoyable stay and a safe journey home after the match.

Colls come to Warrington for the Today’s games – Premier Division third of a quartet of consecutive Ashton United v South Shields home matches played since we Gainsborough Trinity v Whitby Town opened our new season. Colls Grantham Town v Stafford Rangers and Town crossed paths for the Hyde United v FC Utd. of Man’ Lancaster City v Morpeth Town first time in many seasons last Matlock Town v Basford United term and provided us with two Mickleover v Witton Albion highly entertaining games. We Nantwich Town v Buxton Stalybridge Celtic v Scarborough A collected four points from those Warrington T v Atherton Collieries games which are dealt with in greater detail later in the programme. Colls lost their opening match at home to Scarborough and then had a walk over in the FA Cup after Bamber Bridge had to withdraw from the competition. On Saturday they gained a great three points away to Grantham so they will be full of confidence after that result.

Of course we have started the season rather well too of course so should also be confident going into this evenings match, and if you wondered what the editorial title was all about: well? “Said We Are Top of The League”. OK I know it is only after two games so say it quietly, but it is still a nice feeling to be there, although of course I am fully aware that we can’t be too cocky about anything. I know we are only just starting, and this is after all just a bit of fun being enjoyed while we can. We will be focussed on this evenings game and we will be going out for another three points, but we will be aware of the danger our opposition puts in our way. I can see from their player roster that they have a few ex Town players in their ranks, so welcome back Danny, Jack and Marcus. I hope you have a safe time here but forgive me if I don’t wish you leave quite so happy.

Saturday saw us score an impressive 3-0 home win over Gainsborough Trinity who are always a potential threat as a team likely to challenge at the top of the table. Whilst the score line maybe flatters us a shade it is still a great result and third consecutive clean sheet is some achievement given the calibre of opposition was have come across thus far. More of the same there please guys.

This game saw us welcome Matt Taylor who has joined us from Harrogate Town. We hope Matt enjoys his time at Warrington and can be part of a successful side.

As I mentioned Town have started with two wins from our opening two games and somewhat surprisingly are the only side with such a record, although Ashton United and Bamber Bridge also boast a 100% record after just the single game. Would you believe it but the last time we started with two wins was I 2001/2002 season. We won the first three that season. I would love it if we could go on and put in a really strong start to the season this time around.

This coming Saturday we now have a rearranged fixture due to a clash with the FA Cup. Whitby Town will be visiting us, kick off 3.00 p.m. We also have the trip to Morpeth Town planned too. A Tuesday nighter on 13th October. A late return beckons.

Don’t forget to check the new and improved Warrington Town website for all the latest news and results involving everything to do with Warrington Town. This can be accessed at

http://www.warringtontownfc.co.uk

Warrington Town FC Official Supporters Club Join the Official Warrington Town FC Supporters Club for a variety of benefits throughout the season. Adults £20.00 Under 18's £10.00 Some of the benefits include - Up to date Club information, Travel Club Membership, priority ticket sales, discounted coach travel, Match Day updates, members only group, priority for all coach travel. To join, call into the Club Shop on home match days or see social media. Follow us on - Facebook - Warrington Town Supporters Club Twitter - @WarringtonTownS Instagram - warringtontownsupportersclub Email - [email protected] Finally enjoy the match and may the best team from North with a Town suffix win. Paul R.

CONCERT ROOM AVAILABLE FOR DETAILS CALL 01925 555505 WILL ALL SPECTATORS PLEAE KEEP OFF THE PITCH Do not enter the field of play before, during or after the game Warrington Town operates under Warrington Town FC Ltd. Comp No. 06412371 Ltd by shares. No significant interest

TOWN v ATHERTON COLLIERIES - THE HISTORY OF THE CLASH THE FULL RECORD (League games only - based on three points for a win)

HOME AWAY P W D L F A W D L F A Pts GD 20 7 1 2 27 10 3 3 4 17 17 34 +17

CUP MATCHES - THREE 1985/1986 FA Vase 1sr Round Warrington Town 2 Atherton Collieries 0 1998/1999 North West Counties Floodlit Trophy First Round First Leg Warrington Town 1 Atherton Collieries 1 1998/1999 North West Counties Floodlit Trophy Second Round First Leg Atherton Collieries 4 Warrington Town 2 ------The first ever meeting took place following the formation of a of the . Town and Colls were members of that for the four years of its existence prior to the formation of the North West Counties League. The first meeting took place here in Warrington on 10th February 1979. We won 2-0. Colls won the return the following month 2-1. The remaining CCL Division Two results were (Town home game first) 0-3, 2-1 (79/80), 2-1, 3-4 (80/81) & 4-0, 1-2 (81/82). Both Town and Colls were founder members of the North West Counties League in the 82/3 season and we met again with both placed in Division Three. We won 5-1 at home and drew 1-1 in Atherton but they would be our last league meetings for some seasons. The next meeting was in the FA Vase with Town winning a first round tie 2-0 and our first in that seasons competition as we headed towards the semi-finals. Following our relegation from the NPL we met again in season 1997/98. WE only spent one season in Division One being demoted on ground grading. We lost at home 3-4 and drew 1-1 away. 1998/99 saw the next meetings and an epic but for an unusual reason. On 3rd October 1998 we drew 1-1 at home in the North West Counties Floodlit Trophy First Round First Leg. The second leg did not take place until 2nd February the following year, a ridiculous eleven postponed matches later. It remains our record for postponed games in a season. Colls won 4-2 to progress. I say progress. The competition was abandoned that season and discontinued thereafter. The next round of league meetings culminated in our promotion as champions of NW Counties Division Two. We met again for the first of three consecutive league seasons starting on 15th September 2001. We won 3-0 at home with goal from Any Moore (2) and Chris Moores. They away game was in late April and Colls won 2-0. In 2002/03 it was 4-0 and 0-0 and the following season 3-0 & 4-2, both Town wins. The last of those was on 15th November 2003. Some sixteen seasons would pass before we played again with the score line repeated as Town won 4-2 in Atherton on 20th August 2019. It was the second game of the season. Town registered four different scorers. Louis Barnes, Jack Mackreth, Tony Gray and Matty Chadwick. We had led 4-0 when Colls mounted a fight back but the gap was too wide to reach. The return was on the first Saturday of 2020. Town and Coll’s were in indifferent form but we made it a familiar tale. We took the lead through but for the fifth time in six games failed to hold onto it and drew, the score ending 1-1. It was Coll’s first draw here in the league. ------ON THIS DAY - LOOKING BACK TO SEPTEMBER 29TH…

1973/1974 Town enjoyed a walkover in the first round of the English Amateur Cup. We should have played Wythenshawe Amateurs although quite why the game did not go ahead remains a mystery. I suspect they pulled out of the competition after the draw had been made. Incidentally Wythenshawe Amateurs still exist, currently plying the trade in the Manchester League. 1990/1991 Town drew 2-2 at home to Workington in an HFS Loans League Division One fixture. On target for Town were the late Chris Coulson and midfield supremo Neil Whalley. The attendance was 134. 1998/1999 Town lost out in a seven goal thriller at Lambeth Grove against Woodley Sports in a First North Western Trains League Division Two match. The attendance was 52, the score 4- 3. 2001/2002 This game brought a goal fest for Town as we romped to an 8-1 win over a hapless Glossop North End down at Cantilever Park. The scorers were Lee Webster, Robbie Preidt, Dave Pick, Dave Tickle (3) and Chris Moores (2). 110 lucky souls (unless they happened to come from Glossop) witnessed this scoring spectacle. 2007/2008 Town travelled to North West Leicestershire as we defeated Shepshed Dynamo 1-0 in a UniBond League Division One South fixture. Graeme Mitchell got the wining goal in a game watched by 98 spectators. 2009/2010 Not a happy evening as Town exited the FA Cup at the Second Round Qualifying Replay stage losing 3-1 away at Radcliffe Borough. 169 spectators saw Tony Evans score our consolation goal. The first game had ended 1-1. 2012/2013 Another Town no show unfortunately as we lost 2-0 at Clitheroe in Evo-Stik League Division One North. 196 attended, and sadly the majority went home happy. 2015/2016 Better news as Town comfortably won 3-0 away to Ossett Albion on Evo-Stik League Division One North. Just 130 spectators, with about 25% from Warrington saw Ciaran Kilheeney (2) and Scott Metcalfe score as we started to find our championship winning form. 2018/2019 Town had a first ever meeting with South Shields in an Evo-Stik League Premier Division match. It proved to be a relatively comfortable win against a fancied side, the score ending 3-0. The attendance was 505 and the scorers were Amis, Dixon and Kirkby

Report (James Gordon) Warrington Town 3 Gainsborough Trinity 0 Pitching In NPL Premier Division – Saturday 26th September 2020

WARRINGTON Town made it two wins from two to sit top of the Northern Premier League with a 3-0 win over Gainsborough Trinity. Two goalkeeper errors proved costly for the visitors, gifting first half goals to Bohan Dixon and Josh Amis to give the Yellows control. Dixon added a penalty after the break while Charlie Albinson kept a third successive clean sheet in goal behind another fine defensive performance by Mark Roberts and Matt Regan. The result probably didn’t tell the story of the match, as a patched up Gainsborough side offered threat through front three Reco Fyfe, Rod Orlando- Young and Luke Lofts. But whatever they threw at the Yellows was deal with by impressive skipper Roberts and Regan, and Albinson’s biggest job was a double save late on when the game was long settled. After the Holy Blues’ encouraging start, the opening goal came out of nothing as ‘keeper Tom Jackson waited at the edge of his box for a punt forward, only for his hesitation to allow Dixon to nip in and side foot in to the empty net. At the other end, a crucial toe by Roberts denied Fyfe before Jackson’s second calamity, as he spilled James Baillie’s cross at the feet of Amis for the simplest of tap-ins. Jackson was shaky and he couldn’t hold a Baillie shot on the stroke of half-time that nearly enabled Amis to nip in again, and then after the restart, he was caught in no man’s land and was nearly lobbed by Luke Duffy’s audacious effort. Gainsborough went close to pulling a goal back five minutes in to the second half, as Regan diverted a through ball against his own post and for the middle period of the second half, it was a backs against the wall effort from the hosts. But the game was settled on 66 minutes, when Amis took in Jack Dunn’s long throw, went down under the challenge of James Williamson, and Dixon sent the ‘keeper the wrong way from the spot.

Introducing… Atherton Collieries

Atherton Collieries Football Club was formed in 1916, by miners from the six pits which were operative in the old urban district of the town. The club was created as a means of providing welfare for those at home during the war effort. When the pits were nationalised, the football club was gifted to the people of the town. They have played at Alder House since their formation, making the ground one of the oldest in the division. You gain a sense of the history when you walk around the facility which keeps its identity and warmth despite being renovated gradually over the past few years. Colls were founding members of the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) in 1982 and remained there until 2017, when they earned promotion to the Northern Premier League (NPL) for the first time in the club’s history. There have been many memorable moments from the club’s time in the NWCFL, and the club are well known around the region as a result. During the 2006/07 season, Collieries had a future international footballer in their ranks with a young Anthony Pilkington spearheading the Colls attack. Despite being the youngest member of the squad, Pilkington found himself grabbing all the headlines when they beat league leaders FC United of Manchester 3-0 at Gigg Lane. He grabbed himself a hat-trick during this match and soon found himself being transferred straight to the Football League with a move to Stockport County. From there he went on to move to Huddersfield Town and Norwich City in the Premier League before being called up to the Republic of Ireland’s international squad. Prior to this, Collieries had been known in the local area to produce professional footballers. The famous 1923 FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United featured two former Colls players as Billy Butler and Bob Haworth helped the Wanderers bring the FA Cup back to Bolton for the first time in their history. Links between Bolton Wanderers and Atherton Collieries continue to this very day with the two clubs playing each other in an annual pre-season friendly. Recent clashes have seen over 1,500 walk through the Alder Street turnstiles. Matches like this have helped propel Collieries into the limelight in recent seasons and fans of various professional football clubs now consider Colls to be their second club. Michael Clegg was appointed first team manager in August 2014 and immediately began assembling a young and local side. The club went on to win the NWCFL Division One title and the Bolton Hospital Cup in his first season, as well as reaching the Final of the Final and the Division One Cup Final. Success did not stop there as in his second campaign the Colls went one better and won the League Cup, beating the league champions 5-1 at Town’s Highbury Stadium, whilst finishing third in the club’s return to the North West Counties Premier Division. The 2016/17 campaign was a momentous one for Atherton Collieries, as in their centenary year they clinched the NWCFL Premier Division title and reached the last 16 of the FA Vase backed by a large and ever-growing local fan base. This was made even more impressive when you consider it was only Colls second season since their return to the Division. In 2017/18 Colls were playing in the NPL for the first ever time. After a sticky patch around the Xmas period the team regrouped and had a remarkable run in. They were placed tenth on the league ladder but it was in the Integro League Cup where they excelled. Victories over Skelmersdale United, Bamber Bridge, Scarborough Athletic and Hednesford Town set up a Final versus top-flight club Coalville Town. On an emotional evening in Alfreton the cup was deserved won by a 2-1 score- line. 2018/19 was the fifth campaign on the spin where a major trophy was lifted. The Northern Premier League West Division was won with an 82-point haul, seven points more than the second placed outfit. Amazingly it was a third promotion in five campaigns for Michael Clegg's team. The truncated 2019/20 season was another interesting campaign. Clegg led his team to the last sixty-four of the FA Trophy following a standout 1-0 home victory over Boston United. Days later he had resigned to take up a new challenge at Ashton United. What a five years Michael had overseen. Chairman Paul Gregory acted quickly, and bona fide club legend Brad Cooke was appointed as replacement. Eventual National League Champions Barrow were fortunate to leave Atherton still in the Trophy, but they eventually prevailed in the replay on . The league form was up and down but the squad had started to gel when the COVID virus curtailed proceedings. The coal miners who founded this club 104 years ago would be proud of how much the Colls have achieved in recent times. Who knows how further Collieries can go, with the support of the local community?

Atherton Collieries FC – The Players

Vinny Bailey A key player for the Colls over recent seasons with over 130 appearances, Vinny is a great technical midfielder, and a true Colls fans favourite. Jack Banister A hard working player on the flanks, Jack has previously played most notably for Warrington Town and Curzon Ashton, and signed for the Colls following a succesful pre- season stint impressing management and supporters alike. Niall Battersby The younger brother of former Colls favourite Nathan, Niall is a versatile young defender who joined the Colls having previously impressed for Hindsford. Ben Conway Ben is a tricky and versatile forward, who is now in his third stint with the club, having also plied his trade in America and New Zealand since his debut as a youngster in March 2013. Danny Lafferty Having first played for the Colls in 2009, Laffs is a commanding center-half who has become a true leader for the Colls over recent seasons, earning the captains armband following 170+ appearances for the Colls. Danny Lambert A tenacious and versatile ball winning midfielder, with a strong tackle and great technical ability, Lambo has become a fans favourite since signing in 2017. Dylan Glass Dylan Glass is a natural goalscorer who joined the Colls following a spell with Ashton Town, having previously made his mark in the Northern Premier League for Warrington at the age of 16. Gaz Peet A bonafide Black & Whites legend, Gaz Peet holds the club appearance record with over 300 appearances for the Colls since his 2010 debut. A tricky wing-back with a killer eye from free-kicks. Ellis Roberts A young center-half who has recently joined the Colls from Southport. Ellis has recently returned to English football following a stint in the United States, where he represented Chattanooga and the Alderson Broaddus Battlers. Elliott Rokka A new signing at the Skuna Stadium, eagle eyed Colls fans may recognise Elliot following his performances against the Colls for Radcliffe Borough in the 2018-19 season. James Sigsworth Siggy is a popular young winger who returns to the Colls having previously played for the club under Michael Clegg. A fast and skilful player, James is already a favourite amongst the Colls faithful. Clive Smith A young player with strong pedigree, wing-back Clive Smith has previously played professionally at St Johnstone before also appearing for Southport and Droylsden. Danny Taberner Danny Taberner first joined the Colls from Stockport Sports in 2014, making 94 appearances and playing an integral part in Michael Clegg's early success. Tabs returns to the Colls having since played for Prestwich and Northwich. Marcus Cusani Marcus first played for the Colls in 2018, before embarking on successful stints with Warrington Town and Ashton Athletic. A powerful forward with good technical ability. Jordan Darr Jordan Darr joined the Colls following an eye-catching season for Charnock Richard, playing an integral part in their push for promotion to the Northern Premier League. Lewis Doyle A young midfielder who is a product of the Preston North End academy, Lewis first played for the Colls as a teenager in 2018 before joining Accrington Stanley. Kyle Sambor A lightning quick forward who joined the Collieries from Witton Albion, where he notably scored crucial goals throughout the 2019-20 Northern Premier League campaign. Rick Smith An imposing center-half, Rick Smith rejoined the Collieries following a stint with Radcliffe Borough. Elliott Wynne A young and talented shot stopper, Elliot has previously played in the Conference for and Farsley Celtic. Brad Cooke - Manager With 265 appearances and 39 goals whilst captaining the club to two league titles, Brad Cooke is a true Colls legend, and was appointed manager in December 2019.

Constitutions 2020/21

In line with tradition in recent seasons for our opening match programme here is a belated update on the comings and goings in the football pyramid. As always there some interesting twists and turns although 2019/20 was like no other seen in history. The focus is on the game to our level and then the appropriate regional feeders, plus details on our friends over the border.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE. Clubs voted in favour of sorting the final 2019/20 league tables using an unweighted points-per-game (PPG) method. National Division champions Barrow and play-off winners Harrogate Town are promoted to the Football League with just Macclesfield Town relegated in the opposite direction. AFC Fylde (23rd) and Chorley (24th) are relegated to the North division and Ebbsfleet United (21st) are relegated to the South division. Ebbsfleet United were outside the three-team relegation zone when football was suspended but swapped places with Maidenhead United after PPG was applied to the table.

North division champions King’s Lynn Town and play-off winners Altrincham are promoted to the National division. York City were top of the table when football was suspended but swapped placed with King’s Lynn Town after PPG was applied to the table. South division champions Wealdstone and play-off winners Weymouth are promoted to the National division. There is no promotion to or relegation from both the North and South divisions.

NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE All three divisions are unchanged from last season. Mickleover Sports have changed their name to Mickleover FC. Also, Droylsden have resigned from the North-West Division.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE The Premier Central, One Central and One South divisions are unchanged from last season. Premier South will run with 21 teams after Blackfield & Langley have had their request accepted by the FA for voluntary relegation to the Wessex League Premier Division. Merthyr Town have announced they will not participate in the 2020/21 season

ISTHMIAN LEAGUE All four divisions are unchanged from last season. However, Guernsey have deferred for the 2020/21 season due to COVID-19 restrictions.

EBAC NORTHERN LEAGUE: Both divisions are unchanged from last season

TOOLSTATION NORTHERN COUNTIES EAST LEAGUE: The Premier Division is unchanged from last season. There is a change to Division One as Ollerton Town have moved laterally to the East Counties League and been replaced by Emley AFC who have moved laterally from North West Counties League Division One North.

NORTH WEST COUNTIES LEAGUE: The Premier Division is unchanged from last season. The is a change to Division One North as Emley AFC have moved laterally to Northern Counties East League Division One and been replaced by newcomer Bury AFC, who will groundshare at Radcliffe FC. There is also a change to Division One South as FC Oswestry Town (see p. 14) have resigned and been replaced by newcomer FC Isle of Man. However, IOM have since stated they may have to defer until next season due to COVID-194 restrictions. Premier Division Burscough have vacated Victoria Park and may groundshare until their new stadium is completed.

MIDLAND LEAGUE Both the Premier Division and Division One will have 19 teams. South Normanton Athletic have been voluntarily relegated from the Premier Division to the Central Midlands League South Division. Worcester City now play home games at Worcestershire FA’s Claines Lane complex, also used by Worcester Raiders. NKF Burbage resigned from Division One after football was suspended and folded. The remaining 19 teams in each of the two divisions are unchanged from last season. Hinckley AFC have left Ibstock Welfare ground to groundshare at Barwell FC. Division Two is unchanged from last season. Constitutions for Divisions Three and Four have not been formally announced. However, unconfirmed, Tamworth Academy have been ‘promoted’ from Division Four and Shipston Excelsior have left the division and joined the Hellenic League Division Two East. New teams in Division Four include AFC Coventry Rangers, Boldmere Sports & Social Reserves, DSC United, FC Stratford Reserves, Gornal Colts Res and The Mike's to replace Fairfield Villa Reserves, Kidderminster Harriers Reserves, Knowle Reserves, Nuneaton Griff Reserves, promoted Tamworth Academy and Sporting Club Inkberrow (who have joined the Hellenic League Division Two North).

CHESHIRE LEAGUE: The fifteen 2019/20 Premier Division teams will remain in the Premier Division; due to it being null and void, there is no promotion to the North West Counties League and no relegation to League One. The Premier League will have 17 teams in 2020/21 with the promotion of Winstanley Warriors and Garswood United. FC St Helens will be ground sharing at Ashton Town FC. League One will have 15 teams with the promotion of the top five in League Two: Partington Village, Parklands, Winnington Avenue Y.C. 94, Knowsley South and Newton Athletic. While there is no compulsory relegation, Orford’s request to be relegated to League Two has been accepted and Cuddington resigned in early June.

WEST CHESHIRE LEAGUE: Aintree Villa, Mersey Royal and Prescot Cables Reserves have been ‘promoted’ from the Second Division to the First Division with Neston Nomads moving in the opposite direction. Hale and Richmond Raith Rovers both resigned from the First Division during the 2019/20 season. FC Bootle St Edmund's, Marine Reserves and Poulton Vics have been ‘promoted’ from the Third Division to the Second Division. Five newcomers joining Division Three are Mersey Harps, Runcorn Sports, Poulton Royal Reserves, Poulton Vics Reserves and Sutton Athletic. Leaving the league from Division Three are Pensby who have merged with Heswall

STANNO SPORTS [UK] LTD WEST LEAGUE: The Premier Division is unchanged from last season. While the make-up of the lower divisions has yet to be announced, it is known that Cadley FC (new Saturday team), Cartmel AFC and Carnforth Rangers (both from the North Lancashire League) are amongst those joining the league.

LIVERPOOL PREMIER LEAGUE: Division One champions (by PPG) Quarry Bank Old Boys have been promoted to the Premier Division. All of last season’s teams remain in the Premier Division except for Alumni, who drop to Division One. Also, Alder are now known as Knotty Ash.

MEN UNITE STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY SENIOR LEAGUE The Premier Division has increased to 17 teams with the ‘promotion’ from Division One of AFC Alsager and Ball Haye Green, plus newcomer Buxton Reserves. Promoted from Division Two to Division One are Audley Reserves, Ball Haye Green Reserves, Cheadle Town Reserves, Eastwood Hanley Development and Madeley White Star. Newcomer Wolstanton United Reserves have been placed in Division One, from where Market Drayton Tigers have left the league. Several newcomers have been placed in Division Two.

FAW NATIONAL LEAGUES: JD runners-up Flint Town United and JD runners-up Haverfordwest County have been promoted to JD after both the North division champions Town and South division champions University were denied FAW Tier 1 certification. Relegated from JD Cymru Premier are Airbus UK Broughton (12th and bottom) to JD Cymru North and Town (11th) to JD Cymru South). Mid League Division One champions Llanidloes Town, Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) Premier Division champions Holywell Town and Welsh Alliance Division One champions Hotspur are promoted to JD Cymru North. Corwen (15th) and Llanfair United (16th) are relegated to Tier 3 North East league and Porthmadog (14th) to Tier 3 North West league. Rhyl resigned from JD Cymru North after the 2019/20 was suspended and went into liquidation. Welsh League Division One champions Trefelin BGC, runners-up Risca United and third-placed Town are promoted to JD Cymru South. STM Sports (4th but failed to obtain FAW Tier 2 certification), Cwmamman United (15th) and Caerau Ely (16th) are all relegated to the new Tier 3 South West league.

FAW TIER 3 LEAGUES: The Welsh League, Mid Wales League, Welsh National League (Wrexham) Area and Welsh Alliance ceased at the end of last season as the FAW has created four new Tier 3 leagues, two predominantly northern leagues and two predominantly southern leagues.

The North West league consists of teams from last season’s Welsh Alliance and Welsh National League (Wrexham) Area plus CPD Porthmadog who were relegated from JD Cymru North. The North East league consists of teams from last season’s Mid Wales League, Corwen and Llanfair United relegated from JD Cymru North, plus Cefn Albion, Chirk AAA, Penycae and Rhos Alewyd from last season’s Welsh National League (Wrexham) Area.

The South East and South West leagues consist of the three teams relegated from JD Cymru South and the majority of the teams in last season’s Welsh League Division One and Two. Two of last season’s Mid Wales League teams, Llandrindrod Wells and Rhayader Town, have been placed in the South East Division along with Gwent Premier League Premier Division champions Abertillery Excelsiors. Also, STM Sports have folded after being denied a Tier 2 licence.

Reproduced courtesy of The Football Traveller